Getting into Black Powder shooting

[PT7]

Been thinking about a different focus in firearms/shooting sports for quite a while. And especially since I've recently let go of rifle shooting. The only Henry I still own is the SGC .22LR model H001TLP, which I have for sale under consignment at my nearby LGS. Two weeks ago my Henry 357 All-Weather easily sold. Anyway, I'm enjoying my handgun shooting.

Yesterday I ordered a Traditions P1100 Trapper 50 Cal Percussion Pistol. The new focus is to learn how to handle and shoot this black powder firearm. Looking for it to be shipped before long.

Until I get the gun and take some photos, here is a marketing photo from the Hinterland web site. Click on the pistol for a larger image:

https://www.hinterlandoutfitters.com/tr ... 52441.html

After I get the pistol, I'll post my own photos along with what I'm learning and doing with this new adventure in shooting. Probably will also enjoy writing some historical stuff about this replica as I read about it. I think it is a very sharp-looking pistol. Note that it has a trigger spur like my 1874 Russian top break has. Fun stuff.

More to come.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Everybody.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

Very cool. Check out the "October Country" website for great stuff related to mountain man era. I still would like to own an 1847 Walker and shoot it BP. I will enjoy reading about your journey with this pistol.

Is it maple?

[GunnyGene]

Been thinking about a different focus in firearms/shooting sports for quite a while. And especially since I've recently let go of rifle shooting. The only Henry I still own is the SGC .22LR model H001TLP, which I have for sale under consignment at my nearby LGS. Two weeks ago my Henry 357 All-Weather easily sold. Anyway, I'm enjoying my handgun shooting.

Yesterday I ordered a Traditions P1100 Trapper 50 Cal Percussion Pistol. The new focus is to learn how to handle and shoot this black powder firearm. Looking for it to be shipped before long.

Until I get the gun and take some photos, here is a marketing photo from the Hinterland web site. Click on the pistol for a larger image:

https://www.hinterlandoutfitters.com/tr ... 52441.html

After I get the pistol, I'll post my own photos along with what I'm learning and doing with this new adventure in shooting. Probably will also enjoy writing some historical stuff about this replica as I read about it. I think it is a very sharp-looking pistol. Note that it has a trigger spur like my 1874 Russian top break has. Fun stuff.

More to come.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Everybody.
PT7

They are fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. In case you need stuff for it (patches, balls, powder, accessories, etc.) this is my go to supplier:

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/

[ESquared]

Congrats, PT! Sounds like fun! Almost like reloading, but doing it INSIDE the gun and one shot at a time! Can't wait to hear about it and see it live and in person at the range!
Very cool.

[PT7]

Very cool. Check out the "October Country" website for great stuff related to mountain man era. I still would like to own an 1847 Walker and shoot it BP. I will enjoy reading about your journey with this pistol.

Is it maple?

They are fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. In case you need stuff for it (patches, balls, powder, accessories, etc.) this is my go to supplier:

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/

Gunny and RR,

Appreciate the pointers to "October Country" and "Track of the Wolf" sites. Did a quick skim through and checked out the cast round balls they make...an easy starting place since I've learned that the Trapper should use a round ball sized .490". Both suppliers you guys shared offer that ammo. Gives me an idea of cost/100 (will keep on with more comparison shopping). I'll be looking more at these sites as I learn this muzzle loader.

And thanks that you fellows said shooting BP is enjoyable and fun. That's just fine with me.


RR,
Could be maple. Not found any wood identification yet. The marketing write up only says the pistol "has a select hardwood stock." It's one of the things I'd like to find out since I love wood furniture.

[Vaquero]

Very nice lookin pistol, will look good lying on an Orange Henry towel.
What grain ball will you be starting with?
Should be fun, I've got a few BP revolvers and two rifles,
don't shoot 'em as much as I should.

RP

[North Country Gal]

I've done a little BP shooting, so glad to share my limited knowledge. That one looks very much like the long discontinued TC Patriot pistol, which were very popular in BP pistol target shooting. Looks like a lot of fun.

[GunnyGene]

Very cool. Check out the "October Country" website for great stuff related to mountain man era. I still would like to own an 1847 Walker and shoot it BP. I will enjoy reading about your journey with this pistol.

Is it maple?

They are fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. In case you need stuff for it (patches, balls, powder, accessories, etc.) this is my go to supplier:

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/

Gunny and RR,

Appreciate the pointers to "October Country" and "Track of the Wolf" sites. Did a quick skim through and checked out the cast round balls they make...an easy starting place since I've learned that the Trapper should use a round ball sized .490". Both suppliers you guys shared offer that ammo. Gives me an idea of cost/100 (will keep on with more comparison shopping). I'll be looking more at these sites as I learn this muzzle loader.

And thanks that you fellows said shooting BP is enjoyable and fun. That's just fine with me.


RR,
Could be maple. Not found any wood identification yet. The marketing write up only says the pistol "has a select hardwood stock." It's one of the things I'd like to find out since I love wood furniture.

Eventually you'll want to go really old school and cast your own balls, and make your own BP. A little tip: Before you shoot it for the first time, take the nipple out and put a little dab of anti-seize on the threads. That will make it a whole lot easier to remove for cleaning, etc. down the road.

[PT7]

I've done a little BP shooting, so glad to share my limited knowledge. That one looks very much like the long discontinued TC Patriot pistol, which were very popular in BP pistol target shooting. Looks like a lot of fun.

Have you posted on the TC Patriot BP before? If so, could you list the Henry link?
It would be cool to see some pics, too.

[PT7]

Very nice lookin pistol, will look good lying on an Orange Henry towel.
What grain ball will you be starting with?
Should be fun, I've got a few BP revolvers and two rifles,
don't shoot 'em as much as I should.

RP

Not yet sure about the grain. I have seen a couple of .490" ball rounds listed at 177gr, and not seen other gr specs yet. Need to learn what is out there for this pistol, and what might be a good starter.

Yup, plan to show it off on my Orange Henry towel.

[JEBar]

in addition to black powder deer hunting, we used to be members of a black powder club that fired once a month .... the way they were setup was to start at mid morning, take a lunch break where they cooked over a fire, in a Dutch Oven, or on a grill .... in the afternoon they would fire trick shots like splitting a lead round ball by hitting an axe blade and breaking a skeet on each side .... to enjoy black powder shooting it usually helps to enjoy (or at the least not to dislike) the cleaning that goes with it .... I finally reached the point where I didn't .... looking forward to following your journey into the world of black powder

[Vaquero]

JEB, I guess that is one reason I don't shoot mine as much as I used to.
But they are fun,
Splitting the the balls on an axe, never heard of that.
Now I'll have to give that a go.

RP

[Mistered]

That one looks very much like the long discontinued TC Patriot pistol

That was my first thought as well! I looks great and hopefully it will shoot as well as the T/Cs did - which I have no doubt it will.
I have been shooting & hunting with BP for along time - ever since I built my first CVA .45 cal Kentucky Rifle as a teen and I currently have a replica 1863 Springfield 'Zouave' .58 cal and a T/C 'Renegade' in .54 cal.
The T/C was given to me a couple years ago by a co-worker who had it given to him. Unfortunately it had not been cleaned in about 20 years (after shooting) and was pretty well rusted up.
Well long story short but a long and laborious restoration brought it back to probably 90+ % condition with most of the bluing retained. The bore still has some pitting I could not remove but it has not affected it's accuracy as it shoots incredibly well. Standing left of the Henry.

IMG_0727.JPG (53.47 KiB) Viewed 4421 times

[PT7]

in addition to black powder deer hunting, we used to be members of a black powder club that fired once a month .... the way they were setup was to start at mid morning, take a lunch break where they cooked over a fire, in a Dutch Oven, or on a grill .... in the afternoon they would fire trick shots like splitting a lead round ball by hitting an axe blade and breaking a skeet on each side .... to enjoy black powder shooting it usually helps to enjoy (or at the least not to dislike) the cleaning that goes with it .... I finally reached the point where I didn't .... looking forward to following your journey into the world of black powder

Yeah, being an overboard cleaning nut, I have thought about cleaning this pistol. Sounds like that will keep me busy with an extended activity after shooting it!

One encouragement about the pistol cleaning came from CT_Shooter the other day during a phone chat we had. Remember he was gifted that original 1864 Springfield Muzzle Loading rifle from his good friend? CT said that the 9.5" pistol barrel will be easy compared to cleaning a 40-inch rifle barrel. I believe him!

PT7

[Mistered]

Sounds like that will keep me busy with an extended activity after shooting it!

It can be but being a pistol you can clean all the parts in a sink! Dawn detergent is your friend!
Even a rifle is not SO bad once you find a routine that works and stick with it.

[JEBar]

Yeah, being an overboard cleaning nut, I have thought about cleaning this pistol. Sounds like that will keep me busy with an extended activity after shooting it!

PT7

one solid piece of advice I was given long ago is when you take a black powder firearm out shoot .... shoot it a bunch .... giving it a good cleaning requires about the same amount of attention after shooting it once that it does if you fire it a bunch ....

[Mistered]

giving it a good cleaning requires about the same amount of attention after shooting it once that it does if you fire it a bunch

This^
One shot or 50 - same cleaning regimen - no shortcuts!

[GunnyGene]

in addition to black powder deer hunting, we used to be members of a black powder club that fired once a month .... the way they were setup was to start at mid morning, take a lunch break where they cooked over a fire, in a Dutch Oven, or on a grill .... in the afternoon they would fire trick shots like splitting a lead round ball by hitting an axe blade and breaking a skeet on each side .... to enjoy black powder shooting it usually helps to enjoy (or at the least not to dislike) the cleaning that goes with it .... I finally reached the point where I didn't .... looking forward to following your journey into the world of black powder

Yeah, being an overboard cleaning nut, I have thought about cleaning this pistol. Sounds like that will keep me busy with an extended activity after shooting it!

One encouragement about the pistol cleaning came from CT_Shooter the other day during a phone chat we had. Remember he was gifted that original 1864 Springfield Muzzle Loading rifle from his good friend? CT said that the 9.5" pistol barrel will be easy compared to cleaning a 40-inch rifle barrel. I believe him!

PT7

Just don't put it in the dishwasher, unless you are on really good terms with your lady. DAMHIK.

[PT7]

Very cool. Check out the "October Country" website for great stuff related to mountain man era. I still would like to own an 1847 Walker and shoot it BP. I will enjoy reading about your journey with this pistol.

Is it maple?

RR,

First, do you have a manufacturer's link showing the 1874 Walker you'd like to have? I'd be interested in seeing the gun.

OK, back again on the Trapper's wood. I've been reading a quite long, detailed evaluation of this pistol. (Again, CT_Shooter sent it my way.....he seems to be an internet "search guru"). Anyway, the reviewer evals the pistol part-by-part. Reading through the paragraph on the wood stock, I found this:

The stock is hardwood, but I can’t tell what kind; however, it is supposed to be Walnut. The stock and component fit is excellent (but not perfect) and everything seems to blend well with each other. The finish seems to be “Walnut” and is excellently applied. The finishing has a satin appearance and the wood has a very nice grain structure.

When I get the gun and start checking it out, I probably will have a Qs list going, if needed, for a call to the Traditions manufacturer. If I can't find anywhere what wood is used, I'll see if they can give me that info.

Onward the search.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

It's a Uberti on Cimarron website. That is 1 big hefty shootin' iron.